AN EIGHT-year-old boy who ‘wants to live and is scared to die’ needs help to give him a ‘final chance’ of beating a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Jamie Clarke, from Brownsover, has been told he has just weeks to live, having bravely fought Burkitt’s Lymphoma since he was diagnosed last year.
His heartbroken parents Hayley and Wayne have found a new treatment which could give him a chance of surviving – but it will cost thousands of pounds.
Hayley said: “I was told that my baby boy has only a matter of weeks to live.
“This week I have had to tell him what is going to happen, and also tell his little sister Emma – two conversations a mother should never have to have with her children.
“Jamie said: ‘But I don’t wanna die, I’ve been fighting and still will.'”
Jamie has endured months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and emergency brain surgery in his battle against the disease.
Wayne said: “In October 2019, we were expecting the all-clear.
“Jamie was running around the hospital room with huge, beaming smiles, when suddenly a headache appeared. With more tests, the worst possible news – Burkitt’s Lymphoma was back.”
After another bout of intense chemotherapy, it looked like he had pulled through.
“On Christmas Eve, my little princess Emma donated her bone marrow,” Wayne said. “By January Jamie was working hard with physio and getting stronger every day, determined to start doing all the things he had missed out on.
“Plans were being made to go home, when suddenly another headache appeared. His cancer had returned for the third time.
“The hospital specialists said that was his last chance. He would be dead in weeks, maybe even days.
“Having that conversation with your babies is something no parent should ever have to do.”
The determined couple have found a new treatment which could give him a chance – but it comes at a cost as it is not available on the NHS.
A Targeted Therapy company has agreed to try to help Jamie, but it will cost £2,500 pounds just to start the treatment and, if successful, up to £5,000 a month thereafter.
Hayley said: “After not working for 11 months to care for Jamie I cannot afford this care by myself, so I’m asking for some help. I’m sure you’d agree a child life is worth it.
“He has managed 11 long months of fighting. So while he is weak, as a mother I have to try, no matter what, to save my baby or I’ll forever regret it.
“No matter how little you can afford, it may all help to save my baby’s life – or at least give him a chance, as he has told me he wants to live and is scared to die.
“This is heartbreaking for anyone to hear, let alone from your eight-year-old son.”
Having raised their initial target, the Clarkes are appealing for donations to continue future treatment.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/vqv2fjz or https://tinyurl.com/s5558sv for more information and to donate.
